Latest Football Betting
Betting on football matches adds an extra spice and edge to the game- A boring 0-0 draw becomes a masterful tactical showdown when you’ve got £10 riding on it! You can bet on anything, from who will win the Premier League to who will be the top goalscorer in the Champions League. Give yourself the edge by studying our free football betting previews, giving you an insight into the form and injuries of teams going into games, as well as letting you know where to get the best betting odds for football.
Make sure you don’t miss out on any Football Betting action by subscribing to our FREE Football Betting previews.
Latest Betting Odds for Football:
Premiership - Championship - League One - League Two - Blue Square Premier - FA Cup - Champions League - UEFA Cup - Euro 2008
FA Cup Final 2008 Betting - Cardiff City v Portsmouth
May 16, 2008
FA CUP FINAL 2008 BETTING – CARDIFF CITY V PORTSMOUTH – SATURDAY MAY 17th
LATEST NEWS
Click here to subscribe to our FREE Football Betting previews
Cardiff
Paul Parry made sure Cardiff City warmed up for Wembley in perfect style, proving he is ready to fire in the FA Cup final. Parry grabbed City’s first as the Bluebirds cruised to a 3-0 win over Barnsley in the final Championship game of the season. The Welsh international hadn’t played for five weeks, but his 44th-minute strike showed he is ready to return to the fold just in time for the showdown with Portsmouth. Kevin McNaughton and Joe Ledley also got in on the act as Cardiff ensured a top-half finish without handing manager Dave Jones any new injury concerns ahead of the club’s biggest game since 1927.Robbie Fowler’s FA Cup dream is under threat after he missed his last chance for a Wembley warm-up in the win over Barnsley. Bluebirds’ boss Dave Jones had hoped Fowler would play some part, but refused to rule out the striker’s chances of making a late bid for a final spot. Fowler was left out of the 16 for City’s last Championship clash and is battling against time to prove his fitness before the showdown with Portsmouth.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth keeper David James is facing a battle to be fit for the FA Cup final on 17 May against Cardiff City.
After 166 consecutive league appearances, the England keeper was missing from the 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers with a calf injury. “I think all calf injuries are quite serious,” said manager Harry Redknapp. “The scan revealed a slight tear, but if he’d trained it could have been worse.” Skipper Sol Campbell has also given Portsmouth a Cup final injury scare. Campbell has complained of a tight hamstring and may be rested as a precaution ahead of the FA Cup final.
THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY
Cardiff
Semi-final: Barnsley 0 Cardiff City 1
6th round: Middlesborough 0 Cardiff City 2
5th round: Cardiff City 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
4th round: Hereford United 1 Cardiff City 2
3rd round: Chasetown FC 1 Cardiff City 3
Portsmouth
Semi-final: West Bromwich Albion 0 Portsmouth 1
6th round: Manchester United 0 Portsmouth 1
5th round: Preston N.E. 0 Portsmouth 1
4th round: Portsmouth 2 Plymouth Argyle 1
3rd round: Ipswich Town 0 Portsmouth 1
BETTING
Online bookmakers offer a huge variety of bets on the FA Cup Final. These include:
Outright (to lift the Cup)
1/3 Portsmouth (William Hill), 5/2 Cardiff (Bet365).
90 Minutes Play
4/5 Portsmouth (Boylesports), 4/1 Cardiff (Paddy Power) 12/5 Draw (Boylesports).
Win in Extra Time
15/2 Portsmouth, 14/1 Cardiff (both Boylesports).
Win on Penalties
11/1 Portsmouth, 11/1 Cardiff (both Boylesports).
First Goalscorer
11/2 Milan Baros, Nwanku Kanu, 7/1 David Nugent, 8/1 Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 9/1 Robbie Fowler, Niko Kranjcar, Paul Parry, Steve Thompson, John Utaka, 10/1 Sulley Muntari, 14/1 Joe Ledley, 16/1Peter Whittingham, (all Stan James),18/1 Lassan Diarra (Boylesports), 20/1 BAR.
Correct Score Betting
1-0, Cardiff, 11/1 (Paddy Power), Portsmouth, 6/1 (Stan James)
2-0, Cardiff, 33/1 (Paddy Power), Portsmouth, 7/1 (Boylesports)
2-1, Cardiff, 20/1 (888sport), Portsmouth, 15/2 (888sport)
3-0, Cardiff, 100/1 (888sport), Portsmouth, 14/1 (Ladbrokes)
3-1 , Cardiff, 66/1 (888sport), Portsmouth, 18/1 (888sport)
3-2 , Cardiff, 66/1 (888sport), Portsmouth, 33/1 (888sport)
4-0, Cardiff, 250/1 (888sport), Portsmouth, 50/1 (888sport)
Others on application
Draw
0-0, 10/1 (Bet 365)
1-1, 6/1 (Bet365)
2-2, 18/1 (888sport)
3-3, 80/1 (888sport)
4-4, 100/1 (Stan James)
This is merely a small sample of the types of bet available. Check individual sites for details.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
UEFA Cup Final 2008 Betting - Zenit St Petersburg v Glasgow Rangers
May 13, 2008
UEFA CUP FINAL BETTING – ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG v GLASGOW RANGERS – MAY 14th
Glasgow Rangers
Walter Smith is ready to ditch the defensive tactics that led Rangers to the UEFA Cup Final. The Ibrox manager has vowed to adopt a more attack-minded approach, in a bid to take the game to Zenit St Petersburg. Rangers’ “safety-first” policy served them well on the road to Manchester with top sides such as Werder Bremen and Fiorentina edged out over two legs. However, Smith realises that a one-off showpiece requires a different approach and hopes that will prove the key to landing Rangers’ first European trophy since the 1972 Cup Winners’ Cup.
Barry Ferguson insists Rangers are only in the UEFA Cup Final because of the heroics of Allan McGregor. The keeper has been outstanding and Ferguson reckons the pivotal moment of the Euro campaign was in the away leg at Werder Bremen. 1-0 down, McGregor made a world-class save, blocking Boubacar Sanogo’s point-blank effort on 85 minutes. The goalkeeper’s efforts ensured Walter Smith’s side went through 2-1 against one of the tournament favourites.
Kevin Thomson used to fear his midfield partnership with Barry Ferguson was doomed but now reckons it can fire Rangers to victory in the UEFA Cup. The former Hibernian star, signed by Walter Smith for £2million, feels the pair now know how to complement one another. He said, “We had a rusty start in midfield. We had to learn how to play together, when to sit and when to go forward. But we’ve been learning plenty about each other in recent months.”
Zenit St. Petersburg
Ivica Krizanac finds it difficult to believe that he will meet up with Sasa Papac in the UEFA Cup Final, a decade after they set out on trial together. The pair were chasing a shared football dream in their early days, trying to secure deals in Bosnia. While their careers took different paths, a twist of fate will bring them together at the City of Manchester Stadium. The European showpiece will be the pinnacle of both players’ careers. Unsung hero Papac is a crucial part of Rangers’ resilient rearguard, which has been tested to the limit, yet stood firm to stay on course for an unprecedented “quadruple.” Krizanac is a similar defensive “rock” for Zenit St Petersburg, but only one of them can be a winner.
Outspoken Zenit star, Victor Faizulin, “lit the blue touch paper” ahead of the UEFA Cup Final by claiming that Rangers don’t deserve their place in the final. However, the Russian Under-21 star insists that he is pleased that Rangers reached the Manchester showpiece, as they will be easier opponents than Fiorentina. Faizulin said, “Rangers didn’t show anything at all against Fiorentina. It was unreal and the Italians should have qualified for the final. But I wanted to get Rangers because they will be easier. Rangers defend more than attack and will do the same against us. It’s hard to play teams like that and therefore it is vital we don’t lose the first goal.”
Rangers haven’t lost a goal in open play in Europe for more than 420 minutes, but Faizulin reckons that will change when they come up against Zenit’s star striker Andrei Arshavin.
UEFA CUP FINAL BETTING
Online bookmakers offer a variety of bets on the UEFA Cup Final, including:
Outright (to lift the Cup)
4/6 St. Petersburg (skybet), 11/8 Rangers(888sport).
90 Minutes Play
13/10 St. Petersburg (vcbet), 13/5 Rangers(Bet365) 9/4 Draw (Stan James).
Win in Extra Time
9/1 St. Petersburg, 12/1 Rangers (both Boylesports).
Win on Penalties
9/1 St. Petersburg, 9/1 Rangers (both Totesport).
First Goalscorer
7/1 No Goalscorer (Boylesports), 8/1 Andrei Arshavin (Ladbrokes), Jean-Claude Darcheville, Fatih Tekke (both William Hill), 9/1 Kris Boyd, 9/1 Alejandro Dominguez (both skybet), 10/1 Nacho Novo (Stan James), 12/1 Alan Gow (Ladbrokes), Alexey Ionov, Lee McCulloch (both William Hill), Steven Naismith (Paddy Power),
14/1 Charlie Adam (Stan James), DaMarcus Beasley (Ladbrokes), Thomas Buffel, Victor Fayzulin (both Paddy Power), Barry Ferguson (888sport), 16/1 Igor Denisov (Ladbrokes) Konstantin Zyrianov (skybet), 18/1 Chris Burke (Paddy Power), 20/1 BAR.
Correct Score Betting
1-0, Rangers, 7/1 (Paddy Power), St. Petersburg, 13/2 (vcbet)
2-0, Rangers, 17/1 (Paddy Power), St. Petersburg, 9/1 (Stan James)
2-1, Rangers, 12/1 (Ladbrokes), St. Petersburg, 17/2 (William Hill)
3-0, Rangers, 66/1 (Ladbrokes), St. Petersburg, 25/1 (William Hill)
3-1, Rangers, 50/1 (Ladbrokes), St. Petersburg, 20/1 (William Hill)
3-2, Rangers, 45/1 (Paddy Power), St. Petersburg, 33/1 (William Hill)
4-0, Rangers, 225/1 (Paddy Power), St. Petersburg, 80/1 (vcbet)
Others on application.
Draw
0-0, 7/1 (vcbet)
1-1, 11/2 (William Hill)
2-2, 16/1 (William Hill)
3-3, 90/1 (Paddy Power)
4-4, 500/1 (Paddy Power)
Many more bets are available. Check individual sites for details.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
Birmingham and Reading set for Relegation?
May 10, 2008
Click here to subscribe to FREE Premiership Betting Previews
It’s all looking interesting at the wrong end of the Premiership table, as Birmingham City, Reading, Fulham and Bolton fight it out to avoid being the two clubs joining Derby in the Championship next season. Fulham and Bolton have strung some wins together recently to claw their way out of the drop zone. Indeed, it would take a severe fluke (or the hammering that Chelsea need to win the Premiership title) for Bolton to go down now, and that is reflected in their 200/1 odds to be relegated (Blue Square, Bet365 and 888sport).
So leaving Bolton out of the equation, it’s any two from three - and only Fulham know that a win away at Portsmouth should be enough to keep them up - The match odds favour them too, with the best odds for Fulham to beat Portsmouth currently 6/5 (VC Bet and Paddy Power), whilst you can get 12/5 on the home team (Sky Bet). Fulham’s odds for relegation are just 4/5.
Reading however appear to be in freefall at the moment, and can’t buy a win for love nor money. They arguably have the easiest tie of the endangered teams - away to already relegated whipping-boys Derby. Steve Coppell’s side are 8/13 to leave Pride Park with all three points (VC Bet), whilst you can get 5/1 on a Derby win (also VC Bet). Even if they win, Reading will still need to rely on Fulham slipping up against Portsmouth, unless they can win by seven more goals than Roy Hodgson’s side. Reading are currently 8/13 (Ladbrokes and Totesport) to be playing Swansea, Plymouth and Barnsley next season.
Birmingham are the only side whose fate is not in their own hands - To stay up, they must beat Blackburn Rovers at home, whilst hoping that both Reading and Fulham fail to win in their matches at Derby and Portsmouth. Their odds to beat Blackburn are a fairly respectful 11/10 (Totesport, William Hill and others), but their odds to be relegated reflect their dire position, with William Hill pricing a Blues relegation as short as 1/9. The best odds currently available are just 1/6 (Totesport)
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds.
Manchester United 1/6 Favourites to win the Premier League
May 10, 2008
Manchester United go into Sunday’s final round of Premiership games knowing that a win against Wigan Athletic will guarantee that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will retain their Premier League Championship trophy for another season, regardless of how rivals Chelsea fare against Bolton Wanderers. Both United and Chelsea are level on points going into the final game, something that has not happened in 40 years, since United were beaten to the summit by rivals Manchester City on the final day. United’s goal difference is far superior to Chelsea’s though, so it would take a miracle for both teams to win an Chelsea to win the title - Avram Grant’s side would need to score 18 more goals than United to snatch the title in this manner!
Manchester United’s fate is very much in their hands therefore, and that is reflected in the short odds available for the Red Devils to win the Premier League - Most bookies will give you odds of just 1/6 on United retaining their title - the best available at the moment is 1/5 from skybet and VC Bet. Those looking to back united to retain might get better value by betting in running should Chelsea take the lead at Bolton.
United’s match against Wigan at the JJB will be shown live on Sky Sports 2, and the odds for a United victory in the match (regardless of the Chelsea outcome) is just 1/4 (888sport, Blue Square and VC Bet), whilst you can get 12/1 on a win for the Lactics (Ladbrokes, skybet, VC Bet and William Hill).the draw is available from Ladbrokes at 11/2.
Both Bolton and Wigan, led by former Manchester United player Steve Bruce are pretty much safe from relegation worries, so whilst you would expect them to put up a reasonable fight, they must have one eye on their summer holidays, and you would expect both United and Chelsea to win their respective games, which would hand Man United the Premiership Trophy. Of course, Chelsea will be fired up to take full advantage in the rare event that United do slip up at the final hurdle - There will be a replica of the Premiership Trophy at Stamford Bridge just in case, whilst the official trophy is being taken to the JJB Stadium.
There’s very little value in the match odds for the Chelsea v Bolton match - The best available odds for the home win is just 1/6 (VC Bet and Blue Square), and whilst you can get 18/1 on a Bolton win (Ladbrokes and Sky Bet), it’s 18/1 for a very good reason… VC Bet have the best odds for a draw (15/2)
In contrast to the short odds on United retaining the title, you can get a fair price on Chelsea to win the Premiership - 7/2 is the best price we’ve seen (Currently on offer from 888sport, Bet 365, Blue Square, Ladbrokes, William Hill, Totesport, Stan James and Boylesports), and there’ll be a few Blue pounds being spent on that particular punt! Of course, the showdown doesn’t end there, as the two sides meet each other in the Champions League Final on 21st May, and Stan James are currently offering odds of 8/1 on Chelsea winning both Premiership and Champions League trophies, whilst the odds on Manchester United doing the same are just 11/10 (Bet 365 also offer evens on Man United doing the double).
Premiership Betting Preview Saturday 3rd May
May 2, 2008
Aston Villa v Wigan
With two matches to go in the 2007/08 Premiership season, it’s decision time for most clubs as they look to seal their fates. Both Villa and Wigan are currently enjoying four-match runs without tasting defeat, and victory at Villa Park would mean Villa jump above Everton into the UEFA Cup qualifying position (at least until Everton play at Arsenal on Sunday), whilst for Steve Bruce’s men, a win would guarantee Premiership football at the JJB Stadium for a third successive year.
That could be easier said than done however, as Wigan have only won away from home on one occasion this season. This fixture finished in a 1-1 draw last season, and in the reverse fixture at the JJB this season, Villa won 2-1. The referee for this game will be Rob Styles.
Aston Villa are the strong favourites to win this tie, with odds of just 4/7 (Ladbrokes) available on the home win. A draw could net you 29/10 from VC Bet, whilst those looking for odds on Wigan winning should head to Bet365, who are offering 6/1.
Blackburn v Derby
Blackburn’s slim hopes of European qualification could be brought to an end this weekend, if they fail to beat Championship-bound Derby County at Ewood Park, or Aston Villa sneak ahad of Everton into fifth place. Such problems Derby would love to have - As it is, the only target they have to play for is trying to avoid becoming the worst team in Premiership history - An “honour” they will officially own should they lose this match. I’m sure there’s many a Sunderland fan who can’t wait for that particular record to be broken!
The reverse fixture at Pride Park finished in a 2-1 win for Blackburn Rovers. The referee for this match will be Uriah Rennie. Looking at the odds, you’d think Derby were playing Manchester United or Chelsea they are so stacked against the away side - The best odds you can get for a Blackburn win is just 3/10 (William Hill), whilst Bet 365 will give you 12/1 for a Derby win. The draw could net you 4/1 with Boylesports.
Bolton v Sunderland
Sunderland are safe following their win over local rivals Middlesbrough last weekend, and another win for Roy Keane’s side at the Reebok Stadium could leave Gary Megson’s side in the bottom three going into their final game - away at Chelsea! Bolton are in fine form however, with seven points out of the last nine, and another win at home to the Black Cats would effectively secure Premiership survival for another season depending on other results.
Sunderland are also in good form, with four wins in the last six games, a run that has seen them pull away from the relegation drop zone. Roy Keane’s side also won the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light 3-1. The referee for this match will be Martin Atkinson. Our Bet123 Tip of the Day is Sunderland to win at 5/1 (Bet 365 and VC Bet). Bolton to win is 4/7 (888sport) and the draw is at 3/1 (Bet 365)
Fulham v Birmingham
This is THE crunch game of the weekend, and will more than likely decide the fate of at least one of, if not both sides. Fulham will be relegated if they lose and either Reading or Bolton pick up at least a point, whilst Birmingham would face the drop if they lose and both Reading and Bolton pick up wins.
Birmingham have not lost at Fulham since 1968, and Fulham have not managed to string two wins together in 70 games (They continued their great escape with a 3-2 win at Manchester City last weekend), so you would have to fancy Alex McLeish’s side to be looking for the win. The reverse fixture at St Andrews finished all square.
The bookies have made Fulham the favourites going into this match however, with odds of 5/4 for the home win (skybet and Totesport), whilst you can get 2/1 from Stan James for a Blues victory. The draw is available at 23/10 (Blue Square). The referee will be Chris Foy.
Manchester United v West Ham
Manchester United will be looking to put thoughts of their forthcoming Champions League Final showdown with Chelsea on the back-burner to avoid the blues pipping them to the Premiership trophy. United face bogey team West Ham, in the knowledge that victory in their two remaining Premier League fixtures will ensure the trophy remains at Old Trafford for another season, regardless of Chelsea’s results.
Sir Alex Ferguson also has the advantage of playing this match two days before Chelsea face Newcastle at St James Park, and would like nothing better than for Chelsea to have the pressure of going into that game three points behind United. For Alan Curbishley, there’s nothing left to play for except pride, and he will be looking for a top ten finish from his side, which he can achieve with a win.
Man United are very strong favourites to win, which is reflected in the 20/1 (skybet) that you can get on West Ham winning at Old Trafford, whilst the odds for United to win are a little more stingy - 2/11 is the best on offer (VC Bet). The draw is priced at 6/1 (Blue Square)
Middlesbrough v Portsmouth
Boro need to win this game to cement their place in the Premiership next season, whilst Portsmouth’s hopes of fifth place could very well be put to rest after this weekend. Harry Redknapp’s team have still enjoyed their best ever Premiership season though, and will be looking to make that european spot theirs next season, as well as having one eye on the forthcoming FA Cup Final against Cardiff.
Pompey won this fixture comfortably last season, running out 4-0 winners, but lost the corresponding fixture at Fratton Park this season 1-0 thanks to a Sanli goal. The referee for this match will be Peter Walton. Totesport are offering best available odds for the Boro win (21/20), whilst you can get 3/1 on a Pompey win (VC Bet and Sky Bet). Bet 365 are selling the draw at 5/2.
Reading v Tottenham
If Reading are to avoid relegation to the Championship, they are going to have to pick up form in the last two games - at home to Spurs, followed by away at relegated Derby. To do that, they’re going to have to score some goals - something they’ve not managed to do in the last Seven hours and 41 minutes of football. The reverse fixture at White Hart Lane was a goal-fest (6-4 to Spurs), so maybe this will be the game that Steve Coppell’s men find their scoring boots?
Tottenham’s hopes of a top 10 finish are evaporating fast, and they need maximum points from their final two games, as well as hoping that West Ham don’t pick up more than a point from theirs. They will also have to start winning games - They’ve drawn the last four in a row. Howard Webb is your referee for this match.
888sport have Reading as favourites to win, with odds of 6/5. you can get 2/1 on a Spurs win (Blue Square), whilst the draw is priced at 12/5 (Ladbrokes).
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
